JEDDAH — Al-Rayan Blue Star FC made a flying start in the Clear Blasters Cup Football Tournament by running over Girnar Royal Falcon FC 4-1 at Hilal Sham Stadium here. Soccer Freakz Juniors and Malarwadi Strikers also recorded victories in the junior division of the tournament. The tournament is conducted by Blasters FC, one of the clubs affiliated to the Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF), was inaugurated by Unilever (Clear) National Sales Manager Ammar Sabano. Despite a brilliant start from Falcon FC, Blue Star was more clinical when it mattered. Saheer Ayamutty, who scored the opening goal for Blue Star, did well to hold off his marker and chip the ball over goalkeeper in the 25th minute. Falcon tried its best but Anvar Sadath made it 2-0 for Blue Star in the 47 minute. Falcon, however, reduced the lead in the 54th minute through Jaleel. But Saheer Ayamutty scored again for the winner and Sameer Bava completed the tally. Anvar Sadath of Blue Star was adjudged the Man of the Match and the award was presented by Malappuram Distinct Panchayath member P.V Manaf and Amal Watches representative Basheer Banglavil. In the junior section, Soccer Freakz shocked last year's runner-up Talent Teens 2-1. Talent Teens impressed well but the match slipped out of their control by half time. Mohammed Ramin and Rohith Rajan Pillai scored for Soccer Freakz, while Farooq found the target for Talent Teens. Rohith Rajan Pillai of Soccer Freakz was selected as the Man of the Match. In another juniors match, Malarwadi Strikers won a sudden death thriller against Soccer Freakz. Ayman Jaleel of Malarwadi won the man-of-the-match award and it was presented by chief guest Sabano. Clear Shampoo is the main sponsor of the event, which is supported by Badr Tamam Polyclinic, JNH Hospital, Zabin, Sharafiyya Trading, Amal Watches, Ahdab Schools, Zonash, Mall Avenue, Regal Day 2 Day, JBT, GreenLand Restaurants and Al-Rayan Polyclinic. Eighteen clubs are participating in the tournament in seniors and juniors sections. The event will last for 6 weeks. Dr. Ashraf from Badar Al-Tamaam, SIFF office-bearers Nizam Mampad, Salam Kalikavu, Abdul Kareem, Hifzu Rahiman, KMCC Secretary C.K Shakir, OICC representative K.T.A. Muneer and Navodaya representative Shibhu Thiruvananthapuram graced the inaugural day. The organizers have formed an elaborate 75-member committee to conduct the championship. The matches are officiated by qualified Saudi referees. The finals will be conducted before the month of holy Ramadan. Apart from an exhibition match for veterans above 40 years, the committee has planned cultural items on the closing day which will be attended by Clear Shampoo officials, other sponsors and community leaders. Friday's matches: Youth India vs. Al-Rayan Blue Star (7:00 p.m.); Al-Hazimi New Castle vs. MakkahIndian FC (9:00 p.m.); Girnar Falcon FC Thuwwal vs. Ever Green FC Yambu (10:15 p.m.) and Bahi Burger Town Team vs. Selu Group Rabiq (11:30 p.m.).
